EX-99.1 2 dex991.htm PRESS RELEASE Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

LOGO

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

UNITED INSURANCE HOLDINGS CORP. REPORTS 2009 SECOND QUARTER

AND SIX-MONTH FINANCIAL RESULTS

Second Quarter Highlights

 

   

Gross premiums written increased 40% over last year’s second quarter to $58.1 million, and increased 57% over the first quarter of 2009

 

   

Homeowner policies-in-force increased 44% over June 30, 2008 to 96,500, and increased 12% over March 31, 2009

 

   

Book value per share increased 16% to $4.73 at June 30, 2009, compared to $4.07 at December 31, 2008

 

   

Quarterly dividend of $0.05 per share was approved by the Board of Directors and will be payable on September 15, 2009 to shareholders of record on August 31, 2009

St. Petersburg, FL – August 13, 2009: United Insurance Holdings Corp. (OTCBB: UIHC; UIHCW; UIHCU) (“United” or “the Company”), a property and casualty insurance holding company, today reported its unaudited financial results for the three- and six-month period ended June 30, 2009. For the second quarter, the Company’s gross premiums written increased 40% to $58.1 million compared to $41.5 million during the second quarter of 2008. United also experienced an increase in gross premiums written of 35% for the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, compared to the prior year. Gross premiums written increased primarily as a result of the growth in new business and improved policy retention. The Company expects that the seasonality of its business will cause gross premiums written to level off in the third quarter.

“Our premium growth in the second quarter once again demonstrates that we can generate strong performance while still maintaining a disciplined underwriting approach regarding risk exposure.” said Don Cronin, President and Chief Executive Officer of United. “Our policyholders recognize the value of an insurer that provides its customers with quality products and services, so they are responding by choosing our policies.”

The Company received approval for a 12.7% overall rate increase for its homeowner product that will become effective on September 15, 2009, and also received approval for a 15% rate increase for its dwelling/fire product that will become effective on October 15, 2009.

On June 1, 2009, United entered into new reinsurance agreements with a total cost of $83.6 million for the 2009 storm season, an increase of $33.8 million compared to the total reinsurance costs for the 2008 storm season. These increased reinsurance costs, which have impacted all property and casualty insurers in the State of Florida, will be reflected ratably in the Company’s earnings through May 2010. United therefore expects to file for a rate adjustment to become effective January 1, 2010, to mitigate the impact of the higher reinsurance costs. “Raising rates is certainly not a step that we take lightly,” noted Mr. Cronin, “but given the current reinsurance climate, it is a step that is necessary so that we remain able to quickly respond to our policyholders’ needs, as we have since our inception.”


United Insurance Holdings Corp.    Page 2
August 13, 2009   

 

Financial Review

Net premiums earned during the second quarter were $21.9 million, compared to $19.7 million during the second quarter of 2008. The increase in the year-to-date period over the same period in 2008 was $3.1 million, primarily a result of the growth in net premiums written over the past twelve months.

Losses and loss adjustment expenses (“LAE”) incurred during the second quarter were $11.5 million, compared to $5.3 million during the second quarter 2008. Losses and LAE for the six months ended June 30, 2009, increased $6.2 million to $18.7 million, compared to $12.5 million for the same period in 2008. The increases in losses and LAE were primarily due to a few large, non-routine fire losses that occurred in the second quarter and an increase in roof-damage claims that resulted from afternoon thunderstorm activity that occurred in May and June 2009. As the Company expected, the growth in the number of policyholders also contributed to the increase in losses and LAE. Despite the increases in losses and LAE, the frequency of claims remains in line with Company projections.

For the second quarter, the Company generated net income of $2.8 million, or $0.27 per diluted share, compared to net income of $9.2 million, or $0.78 per diluted share, for the same period last year. For the six-month period ended June 30, 2009, the Company generated net income of $6.0 million, or $0.57 per diluted share, compared to net income of $17.7 million, or $1.50 per diluted share, for the same period last year. The decrease in net income for the three- and six-month periods ended June 30, 2009, was primarily the result of increased losses and LAE in the second quarter, increased reinsurance costs that took effect in June, and policy assumption bonuses that United received from Citizens during 2008. United did not receive any policy assumption bonuses in 2009.

United’s cash and investment holdings totaled $196.2 million at June 30, 2009, and consisted primarily of investments in high-quality money market instruments, U.S. Treasuries, government agencies and high-quality corporate debt. Fixed maturities and cash represented approximately 94.7% of United’s total investments at June 30, 2009.

Conference Call

The Company will hold its quarterly conference call to discuss these results on Friday, August 14, 2009, at 11:00 a.m. EDT.

The dial-in numbers are:

(866) 861-6730 (US)

(706) 679-0882 (International)

A recorded replay of the call will be available until 11:00 p.m. EDT on August 17, 2009. Listeners may dial 800-642-1687 (Domestic) or 706-645-9291 (International) and use the code 21258384 for the replay.

A live webcast of the call can be accessed at www.upcic.com in the “Events & Presentations” section. If you are unable to participate in the live call, the webcast version of the conference call will be available at the same link following the call. Listeners interested in participating in the Q&A session should go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software.


United Insurance Holdings Corp.    Page 3
August 13, 2009   

 

About United Insurance Holdings Corp.

Founded in 1999, United Property & Casualty Insurance Company, a subsidiary of United Insurance Holdings Corp., primarily underwrites homeowners insurance in the State of Florida. From its headquarters in St. Petersburg, United’s team of dedicated employees manages a completely integrated insurance company, including sales, underwriting, customer service and claims. The Company distributes its homeowners, dwelling/fire and flood products through many agency groups and conducts business through four wholly-owned subsidiaries. Homeowners insurance constitutes the majority of United’s premiums and policies.

Forward-Looking Statements

Statements in this press release that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events and results to differ materially from those discussed herein. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, words such as “may,” “will,” “expect,” “believe,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “could,” “would,” “estimate,” “or “continue” or the other negative variations thereof or comparable terminology are intended to identify forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements in this press release include statements regarding: our ability to obtain approval for a rate adjustment from the Florida Office of Insurance Regulation, the impact of reinsurance costs on our operating results and the outlook for our business. The risks and uncertainties that could cause our actual results to differ from those expressed or implied herein include, without limitation, the success of the Company’s marketing initiatives, inflation and other changes in economic conditions (including changes in interest rates and financial markets); the impact of new regulations adopted in Florida which affect the property and casualty insurance market; the costs of reinsurance and the collectibility of reinsurance, assessments charged by various governmental agencies; pricing competition and other initiatives by competitors; our ability to obtain regulatory approval for requested rate changes, and the timing thereof; legislative and regulatory developments; the outcome of litigation pending against us, including the terms of any settlements; risks related to the nature of our business; dependence on investment income and the composition of our investment portfolio; the adequacy of our liability for loss and loss adjustment expense; insurance agents; claims experience; ratings by industry services; catastrophe losses; reliance on key personnel; weather conditions (including the severity and frequency of storms, hurricanes, tornadoes and hail); changes in loss trends; acts of war and terrorist activities; court decisions and trends in litigation, and health care; and other matters described from time to time by us in our filings with the SEC, including, but not limited to, the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K/A for the year ended December 31, 2008. In addition, investors should be aware that generally accepted accounting principles prescribe when a company may reserve for particular risks, including litigation exposures. Accordingly, results for a given reporting period could be significantly affected if and when a reserve is established for a major contingency. Reported results may therefore, appear to be volatile in certain accounting periods. The Company undertakes no obligations to update, change or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as a result of new information, additional or subsequent developments or otherwise.

### #### ###

 

CONTACT:    -OR-    INVESTOR RELATIONS:
United Insurance Holdings Corp.       The Equity Group Inc.
Don Cronin       Adam Prior
Chief Executive Officer       Vice President
(727) 895-7737 /dcronin@upcic.com       (212) 836-9606 / aprior@equityny.com
John Rohloff      
SEC Reporting Manager      
(727) 895-7737 /jrohloff@upcic.com      


United Insurance Holdings Corp.    Page 4
August 13, 2009   

 

Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income

(Unaudited)

In thousands, except share and per share amounts

 

     Three Months Ended     Six Months Ended  
     June 30,     June 30,  
     2009     2008     2009     2008  

REVENUE:

        

Gross premiums written

   $ 58,147      $ 41,518      $ 95,178      $ 70,608   

Gross premiums ceded

     (86,073     (52,203     (87,974     (53,565
                                

Net premiums written

     (27,926     (10,685     7,204        17,043   

Decrease in net unearned premiums

     49,821        30,335        36,233        23,242   
                                

Net premiums earned

     21,895        19,650        43,437        40,285   

Net investment income

     1,288        1,721        2,683        3,354   

Net realized investment gains

     1,513        1,035        705        878   

Other-than-temporary impairment of investments

     —          —          (1,878     —     

Commission and fees

     867        651        1,633        1,298   

Policy assumption bonus

     —          1,371        —          4,283   

Other revenue

     757        512        1,724        1,292   
                                

Total revenue

     26,320        24,940        48,304        51,390   
                                

EXPENSES:

        

Losses and loss adjustment expenses

     11,538        5,343        18,739        12,474   

Policy acquisition costs

     5,574        4,377        10,502        8,599   

Operating and underwriting expenses

     2,061        1,554        3,864        3,092   

Salaries and wages

     766        722        2,050        1,530   

General and administrative expenses

     970        1,041        1,983        2,378   

Interest expense

     783        601        1,537        1,466   
                                

Total expenses

     21,692        13,638        38,675        29,539   
                                

Income before income taxes

     4,628        11,302        9,629        21,851   

Provision for income taxes

     1,781        2,143        3,657        4,159   
                                

Net income

   $ 2,847      $ 9,159      $ 5,972      $ 17,692   
                                

Weighted average shares outstanding

        

Basic

     10,573,932        10,548,932        10,562,468        10,548,932   
                                

Diluted

     10,573,932        11,797,768        10,562,468        11,757,811   
                                

Earnings per share

        

Basic

   $ 0.27      $ 0.87      $ 0.57      $ 1.68   
                                

Diluted

   $ 0.27      $ 0.78      $ 0.57      $ 1.50   
                                

Dividends declared per share

   $ 0.15      $ —        $ 0.15      $ —     
                                

PRO FORMA COMPUTATION OF INCOME TAXES FOR HISTORICAL PERIOD PRIOR TO THE MERGER:

  

Historical income before income taxes

     $ 11,302        $ 21,851   

Pro forma provision for income taxes

       4,360          8,429   
                    

Pro forma net income

     $ 6,942        $ 13,422   
                    

Pro forma earnings per share

        

Basic

     $ 0.66        $ 1.27   
                    

Diluted

     $ 0.59        $ 1.14   
                    


United Insurance Holdings Corp.    Page 5
August 13, 2009   

 

Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets

In thousands, except share and par value amounts

 

     June 30,
2009
   December 31,
2008
 
     Unaudited       

ASSETS

     

Investments available for sale, at fair value:

     

Fixed maturities (amortized cost of $83,911 and $114,078, respectively)

   $ 84,911    $ 115,332   

Equity securities (cost of $10,991 and $14,229, respectively)

     10,046      10,586   

Other long-term investments (cost of $300)

     300      300   
               

Total investments

     95,257      126,218   
               

Cash and cash equivalents

     100,908      31,689   

Accrued investment income

     1,112      1,392   

Premiums receivable, net of allowances for credit losses of $403 and $305, respectively

     15,095      10,216   

Reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses

     22,716      22,604   

Prepaid reinsurance premiums

     82,232      26,518   

Deferred policy acquisition costs, net

     12,566      9,075   

Property and equipment at cost, net of accumulated depreciation and amortization of $293 and $254, respectively

     255      294   

Capitalized software, net of accumulated amortization of $166 and $53, respectively

     1,204      1,232   

Deferred income tax assets, net

     578      2,744   

Other assets

     1,519      1,139   
               

Total Assets

   $ 333,442    $ 233,121   
               

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY

     

Liabilities:

     

Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses

   $ 41,443    $ 40,098   

Unearned premiums

     93,866      74,384   

Reinsurance payable

     85,281      16,694   

Advance premiums

     5,453      2,152   

Accounts payable and accrued expenses

     15,275      12,871   

Current portion of notes payable

     5,209      4,621   

Income taxes payable

     107      1,366   

Other liabilities

     542      1,326   

Long-term notes payable

     36,296      36,682   
               

Total Liabilities

     283,472      190,194   
               

Commitments and contingencies

     

Stockholders’ Equity:

     

Preferred stock, $0.0001 par value; 1,000,000 shares authorized; none issued or outstanding for 2009 and 2008

     —        —     

Common stock, $0.0001 par value; 50,000,000 shares authorized; 10,573,932 and 10,548,932 issued and outstanding for 2009 and 2008, respectively

     1      1   

Additional paid-in capital

     75      —     

Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

     34      (1,490

Retained earnings

     49,860      44,416   
               

Total Stockholders’ Equity

     49,970      42,927   
               

Total Liabilities and Stockholders’ Equity

   $ 333,442    $ 233,121